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2002 Award Recipients
Dr. T. Ming
Chu, a scientist and researcher, played a leading role in developing
a revolutionary blood test, the Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA test,
for the early detection of prostate cancer. This test is now a universally
accepted part of cancer screening programs and is one of the many reasons
why the American Cancer Society cited Dr. Chu's work as a milestone
in cancer research. He is the former Chair of Diagnostic Immunology
Research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and worked at both
the Hauptman-Woodward Institute and Buffalo General Hospital prior
to his career at RPCI.
Holding over
100 patents, Edith M. Flanigen is one of the most innovative chemists
of all time. Her work focused on molecular sieves that act as catalysts
to speed up chemical reactions. She has invented or developed over 200
different synthetic substances including several zeolites and a synthetic
emerald. She is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and was
the first woman to receive the Perkin Medal, the highest honor given
for contributions in applied chemistry in the United States. She is a
native Buffalonian who graduated as class president and valedictorian
from D'Youville College.
One of America's
greatest inventors, Wilson Greatbatch is known for inventing the
implantable cardiac pacemaker. The pacemaker has been used in over three
million heart patients helping them live longer and better. Mr. Greatbatch
has a lifelong commitment to improving and refining his invention. He
currently holds more than 240 patents and is member of the National Inventors
Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Engineering. Wilson was born
in Western New York and currently lives near a dairy farm outside of
Buffalo
A mathematician
by training, Dr. Herbert A. Hauptman received the Nobel Prize
in Chemistry in 1985 for the development of mathematical methods to determine
crystal structures. These structures are important to understand how
molecules function and are used to create new and improved drugs to treat
and prevent diseases. At 85, his innovative work continues. Dr. Hauptman
came to Buffalo in 1970 and is currently the president of the Hauptman-Woodward
Medical Research Institute
Dr. Lawrence
Jacobs (Posthumously) was an internationally renowned researcher
in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS). He was also a caring and patient
physician.
His breakthroughs in the treatment of MS helped develop what is now
the most widely prescribed medication to slow the progression of disability
in MS. He served as Chairman of the Department of Neurology at the
University at Buffalo and Head of the Jacobs Neurological Institute
at Buffalo General Hospital where his pioneering work continues.
Walter Kistler is
a leader in the commercialization of space. In 1957, he formed Kistler
Instruments Corporation and became a world leader in the development
of quartz sensors. He is also co-founder of Kistler Aerospace and currently
serves as president of the Foundation for the Future, whose mission is
to increase and spread knowledge concerning the long-term future of humanity.
A native of Switzerland, Mr. Kistler came to Buffalo in 1952 and worked
here for almost 20 years.
Ira G. Ross (Posthumously) was
an innovative scientist and engineer responsible for establishing aerodynamic
and in-flight simulation techniques that are still used in testing commercial
and military aircraft. He was head of one of the nation’s largest
applied research organizations in Western New York, Cornell Aeronautical
Laboratory, which became Calspan and is now Veridian Engineering. He
was a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In the
1930's, Ira Ross came to Buffalo to live and work and became known as
one of the most respected business and community leaders in Western New
York.
Originally from
Romania, Dr. Eli Ruckenstein is known as one of the world’s
leading scientists in the field of chemical engineering. He was the recipient
of the United States’ highest honor for scientific achievement,
the National Medal of Science for his pioneering theories and experimental
achievements in colloidal and surface phenomena, catalysis, and advanced
materials. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Dr. Ruckenstein came to the United States 33 years ago and has been a
faculty member at the University at Buffalo since 1973.
A
pivotal player in the field of genomics, Dr. J. Craig Venter Founded
Celera Genomics to test new techniques and machinery used to decipher DNA
sequences. He headed one of the two teams responsible for sequencing the
human genome in 2001 and is currently president of three not-for-profit
organizations dedicated to exploring social and ethical issues in genomics.
They are the Center for the Advancement of Genomics, The Institute for Biological
Energy Alternatives, and the J. Craig Venter Science Foundation. Prior to
working for the National Institutes of Health and founding The Institute
for Genomic Research, Dr. Craig Venter was a professor at the University
at Buffalo and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute.